Commitment To A Daily Practice

“There are many different paths that exist, don’t be afraid to pave your won. Lead others by your example, but inspire them not to follow the path you’ve shown.” – Mahe Jabeen

Hello. My name is David McGlynn.

Since 1996, I’ve kept a journal. 

 In it, I’ve written down my observations, conversations, & adventures about the people, places and situations I have experienced in my life. 

My journals hold my most personal thoughts & intimate emotions, all my dreams & ambitions, vulnerabilities & heartbreaks, successes & failures, hopes & fears, my aspirations & doubts, all my beliefs, theories, ideas and personal philosophies.

 All of this energy, all this effort, all this time spent in self-reflection. My attempt to understand who I am, what I believe, what my purpose is and how I connect to everything around me as I try to live as authentic a life as possible.

In that time, I estimate I have spent over 13,500 hours of my life journaling.

I call it my Daily Practice.

Practicing writing. Practicing creativity & self-expression. Practicing self-awareness.

In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell, popularized the idea that the key to achieving success in any specialty was practicing it over 10,000 hours. By that measure, some might say I’ve become a master journal writer. 

I can’t say if that is true, but having spent so much of my time writing & reflecting on my life, I can say I’ve become a better journaler, and I’d like to think, a more thoughtful human being.

After all these years, my journal has become part of my identity and it gives me a tremendous sense of contentment & joy to write. It’s been an ongoing, 24 year conversation with myself. At this point, I couldn’t imagine my life without it.

Over the years, when I talk to family members, friends or work acquaintances about my journaling, everyone is always extremely curious. They always ask, “what do you write about?” That one question turns into what I call a “conversation of significance.” 

A typical conversation about journaling can go for at least an hour or two. Everyone reacts with a mix of fascination, curiosity and disbelief about why I write and what I write about. As these conversations end, they typically say, “Thanks for sharing. You should share what you write about with others.” Or “You’ve inspired me. Maybe I should start journaling, but where would I begin? Can you tell me what to write about?”

I have thought about sharing parts of my journals for quite a while, but too often one of what I call my “four horsemen” (distraction, procrastination, doubt, and fear of failure or fear of success) stopped me, so I’ve never followed through with it.

However, 2021 marks the 25th consecutive year of my journaling experience. And, with everything humanity has had to live through in 2020, I thought it would be an ideal moment to share some positive thoughts & ideas from the pages of my journal. 

 My goal is to publish 2 – 3 times a week over the next year. That’s anywhere from 100 – 150 entries on topics like:

·       what I have learned from writing all these years

·       things others have taught me & shared with me along the way

·       the benefits of journaling

·       journaling tips & ideas

·       actual journal excerpts… people always seem interested in “exactly” what I write

·       my adventures, conversations & experiences

·       my personal insights 

·       a meaning of life

 In addition, I plan to share more comprehensive, long-form, travel adventure photo-essays featuring 20 – 30 photos from various treks around the globe, using on location journal entries to add an “as I was there” point of view. I was trained as an anthropologist to take field notes, so I have that to lean on…  I am hoping to do this two times a month.

And, since I am a songwriter, I plan to publish a “Songwriter Saturday” series, sharing my music, videos & other behind the scenes stuff of what it’s been like to create original music for most of my life. That will start up in the next few weeks. 

So, lots to look forward to over the next 365 days: original words + original music + original experiences

My hope is that by sharing my experiences, individuals will be inspired to reach their own potential, living a life filled with purpose, joy & love.

Journaling has fundamentally changed the way I see myself and the world around me. Hopefully it will change yours too. Ok, let’s get started!

And, as we start our adventure together, I wanted to take a minute & introduce you to my everyday adventurers… my dear wife Kristin and our two Boston terriers, Roxy & Stella. I am incredibly grateful for Kristin’s support, patience and love.

Love & Light xoxo